1905 Boston to Salem Letter from John G. Morse to Julie Morse: Major Fire! *

 

North Station Boston - North Postal Station Cancel Postcard

This postcard features a preprinted return address: 'Inspection Department of the Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Co's, 31 Milk Street, Boston.' It was penned by John G. Morse, the son of Edward Sylvester Morse, and dispatched to his wife residing at 12 Linden St., Salem, Massachusetts, on December 20, 1905, from North Station in Boston. In his message, John discusses a significant fire incident.

John writes from No. Station Dec 20, 1905

My dear Julie

I had ample time to walk over slowly. The train was 5 min late here but I had 3/4 of an hour to spare. Saw by the Record that this new 23d St Ferry houses of D.L.&W, and Jersey Ave were destroyed by fire and the Erie & Pa RR just barely saved. 

This is not much of a way to end of our monthly-versary but we will make up for lost time next Monday.

Your own, John

Please note: The interpretation provided above is based on my reading of the cursive letter.

In the letter, John is writing to Julie while waiting at North Station in Boston. He mentions that he had plenty of time to take a leisurely stroll, suggesting a relaxed moment amid the bustling travel environment. The fact that he had 45 minutes to spare before his train departed indicates he had some free time on his hands.

John shares some news he came across in the "Record" about a fire that destroyed the new 23rd St Ferry houses of D.L.&W and Jersey Ave. He also mentions that the Erie & Pa RR narrowly escaped the flames. This information provides historical context, shedding light on the challenges and risks associated with transportation and infrastructure during that era.

While John G. Morse was indeed in Boston at North Station when he wrote the letter, the fire incident he discusses actually happened in Jersey City, which he likely learned about from a newspaper or another source during his time in Boston. This account most likely refers to an incident in Jersey City in 1905 when a fire ravaged the ferry houses of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad near 23rd Street. It also posed a threat to the nearby Erie and Pennsylvania Railroad facilities. Jersey City was a significant transportation and industrial hub during that period, with multiple railroads and ferry terminals along the Hudson River waterfront. Such incidents were not uncommon in industrial cities of that era.